Yere poised for Lane start after impressing as a sub

HARD-TACKLING centre Menzie Yere is set for a recall to Sheffield Eagles starting line-up against York City Knights tonight.

The Papua New Guinea international was dropped to substitute last weekend but impressed coach Mark Aston when given an early call off the bench.

“Menzie came on and was strong and direct, and clattered a few people in the way we expect,” said Aston. “A few didn’t do so well. There are one or two who we might think need to take a backward step.”

Yere’s direct style would fit well into Aston’s hopes for a dominant start by the team after three scrappy victories.

“I want us to start the game fast and furious,” he said. “We’re been doing enough to win games but only that. We’re not 100 per cent where I want to but it tends to be like that early on and we want to be strong at the end of the season. We’re scrapping wins and good teams do that.”

Two players with strong York links could miss out when the 17 is named for Eagles’ first game of the season at Bramall Lane tonight (kick-off 7.30pm). Matt Garside, who moved from York this season, replaced Yere in the starting lineup against Workington and half-back Pat Smith is the brother of Knights back-rower Pat.

Patch Walker could start and young forwards Connor Scott and Colton Roche plus the experienced Liam Higgins are pushing for bench places.

York have won only once in four games but Aston says playing against the Championship title holders is motivating teams.

“That’s the norm. What we will be facing is what we are every week, teams trying to knock us off our spot,” he said.

“We want to start fast, we’ll be on a firm, wide pitch and we want to use that and expose York. We’ve got plenty of pace and quality and we need to show it.”